ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF CASSAVA-BASED CROP COMBINATIONS IN ABAK LGA, AKWA IBOM STATE, NIGERIA.

ABSTRACT This studies the economic analysis of major cassava-based crop combinations in the Abak agricultural local government. The specific objectives of the study were to; assess the socio-economic characteristics of cassava-based crop farmers in the study area, identify the major cassava-based crop combinations in the study area, estimate the costs and returns levels of major cassava-based crop combinations in the study area, estimate and compare the levels of gross margins for major cassava-based crop combinations in the study area and identify the constraints faced by cassava-based mixed crop farmers and offer recommendations. A multi stage random sampling procedure was used to select 200 respondents in Abak Local Government Area. Data was collected using a well-structured questionnaire which was administered to the farmers. Descriptive statistics, budgetary analysis, gross margin (GM) technique and Garrett Ranking Technique were used as tools for analysis. The results showed that on the age of the respondents, majority (55.1%) of the respondent falls within the age bracket of 31-40 years, on the sex of the respondents, it is observed that majority (80.7%) of the respondent were male. Still on the socio-economic characteristics of the respondents, the results also show that the majority of the respondents (66.8%) were married. On the employment status of the respondents, it is shown that the majority of the respondents (72.0%) were employed. Results also showed that the majority of the respondents representing 64.8% of the respondents have tertiary education. Results also revealed that the majority of the respondents (23.9%) were civil servants. Under farming experience, 68.8% have farming experience from 11 years and above. This implies that the respondents are fully experienced with given answers to the subject matter under study. With respect to the sources of capital of the respondents, the majority of the respondents representing 50.5% use personal savings. The result revealed that in the Abak local government area, the cassava-maize cropping system is the most used, ranking at 25.5%. It also revealed that proceed from cassava-based crop combinations (per hectare) constitute the highest profit which implies that implies that cassava crop combinations are profitable in the Abak agricultural local government area and also shows that inadequate funding is the major and first constraint to cassava-based crop combinations in the study area followed by poor yield. The study therefore recommended that farmers in Abak local government area should be encouraged to adopt cassava-maize cropping systems, as it is widely practiced and demonstrates significant popularity among local agricultural practices, efforts should be made to promote cassava-based crop combinations, as they offer the highest profit, thereby enhancing the profitability of agricultural enterprises in the region. The government and financial institutions should provide targeted funding and financial support to address the inadequate funding constraints faced by farmers in implementing cassava-based crop combinations.